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Pacific
Southwest District
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Take a minute and stop what you’re doing and listen. Do you hear the heartfelt joy of your local song bird? If you don’t, do you desire to hear the clear melodious notes of various birds in your yard and aren’t quite sure how to lure them? Dee Lyon, from the Conejo Valley Audubon Society (http://www.conejovalleyaudubon.org) presented an animated talk to the Ventura County Rose Society about inviting birds to your yard, bird watching and other tips that you might find useful, if you desire to invite this lovely singing group to your domain.
One of the first and strongly suggested actions by Dee is to plant California native plants in your yard along with moving water, i.e. small dripper or a fountain. Birds are attracted to the sound of moving water. They also need food and shelter and a place to hide from the cats and hawks. The food can be put into bird feeders, but you have to remember to clean them periodically. An easier way, suggested by the Aududon Society, is to plant California natives, of which many have berries and fruits, and is the preferable way to attract birds.
On the handout Dee provided, she lists several California native plants such as Toyon (Heteromeles Arbutiffolia) for the Robin, Cedar Waxwings, Mockingbirds, and Hermit Thrush. It can be pruned and has pretty white flowers in the Spring and red berries in the Winter. California Fuchsia (Zauschneria), a low spreading evergreen bush with red flowers from July- November is loved by the hummingbirds. She also suggested Penstemons, Monkey flowers and sages. For more information and a complete list of California natives, check out the website listed above.
Not only does Dee invite birds to her backyard, but she is an avid bird watcher. Dee went on to explain that the Audubon Society claims that the number 1 hobby in the U.S. is gardening and the number 2 hobby is birding. I believe this. My favorite things are roses and birds.
Some of the tools for bird watching include binoculars 7 x 42 which means that you can see 7 times the naked eye and 42 millimeters exit lens (lets in lots of light). Field guides are necessary and one of the best is The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Sibley. Dee urges us to take a small notebook to write down all the field marks of a bird that you can see. Then look your bird up in the guide.
She continued by explaining how to identify birds: Note the field marks such as size, body shape, bill size and shape, tail length and shape, wingspan and shape. Note the color and patterning on the face or head, the under parts, upper surfaces of wings and body. Note the behavior of the bird such as the posture at rest, tail wagging, tree climbing, flying or the way it feeds. Listen for songs and calls.
Dee says when observing birds there are certain ethics and behaviors that need to be practiced by humans. Some would be to not harm or harass the birds. Always talk in a very quiet voice. Don’t wear white, red, yellow or other bright colors which signal danger to the birds. If you are with a group, don’t complain, don’t get ahead of the leader, and don’t walk in front of someone watching a bird.
One last valuable website I would like to mention and it is listed on Dee’s handout is http://www.laspilitas.com which describes pictures of any plant you are considering, it’s growing habits and best locations. It even describes great plants for Southern California.
Dee ended her presentation by sharing a slide show of the various birds and their habitats in Ventura County. Dee’s enthusiasm for birding was contagious. Please look at the above mentioned websites; you’ll learn lots about our local birds, their habits and ways to encourage their stay in California.
